From December 18 to 23, 2025, Deng Xijun, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs visited Cambodia and Thailand and engaged in shuttle diplomacy over the recent border clashes between the two countries. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

From December 18 to 23, Deng Xijun, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs visited Cambodia and Thailand and engaged in shuttle diplomacy over the recent border clashes between the two countries, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a release on Tuesday. 

In Cambodia, he met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha, and Royal Cambodian Army Commander Mao Sophan, the ministry said. 

From December 18 to 23, 2025, Deng Xijun, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs visited Cambodia and Thailand and engaged in shuttle diplomacy over the recent border clashes between the two countries. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

In Thailand, the Chinese envoy met with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit, Supreme Commander Ukrit Boontanon, and Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

China is highly concerned about the current situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, and is deeply saddened by the casualties and displacement caused by the conflict, to which it extends its sincere sympathies, Deng said, according to the release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

The most urgent priority is to achieve an immediate ceasefire, halt the fighting, and resume dialogue to resolve the border dispute through peaceful means, he said. 

China supports ASEAN's mediation efforts and supports the important role of the ASEAN observer mission in monitoring a ceasefire. China stands ready once again to help create conditions and provide a platform for dialogue and negotiations between the two sides. China hopes that Cambodia and Thailand will move toward each other, work to restore mutual trust, and rebuild peace along the border, Deng noted. 

Both Cambodia and Thailand expressed appreciation for China's continued efforts to promote peace and talks in a manner acceptable to all parties, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

They reaffirmed their commitment to peace, expressed hope for achieving a sustainable ceasefire, and said they are willing to maintain close communication with China to help de-escalate tensions and restore peace and stability in the Cambodia-Thailand border areas at an early date, the ministry said. 

Dozens have been killed in Thailand-Cambodia border clashes, including soldiers and civilians in both countries, official data showed Monday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.